We made it to Texas!

Amid the daily grind in Encinitas—working, packing, and selling most of my belongings to randoms on Craigslist—there wasn’t much time to contemplate the adventures that awaited. Days flew by, and before I knew it, we were on the road heading to Lake Powell to spend the 4th of July with a group of great friends.

After about 9 hours of driving, weaving through state lines and time zones, we arrived in the beautiful, starlit Page, Arizona.

The area was filled with footprints of indigenous cultures that still inhabit it, and we appreciated the landscape and learned of its sacredness. We visited the stunning Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend—places you've probably seen as wallpapers on your computer—and spent a day boating on the lake where I jumped off only a few cliffs. 6 hours out there wasn’t enough; I could be on a boat all day.

Each night ended with stargazing, watching thousands of stars twinkle endlessly, making us feel both tiny and powerful. We wished on every shooting star that passed, though lately, most of my wishes seem to have already come true.

Our final destination was San Antonio, Texas, a 16-hour drive from Arizona. We made a pit stop at the Grand Canyon South Rim, its layers of rock reflecting millions of years of formation—an unforgettable place for me, for several reasons.

After a night in Albuquerque, New Mexico (or ABQ to Breaking Bad fans), we drove 10 hours to San Antonio—home to my mother and brother, two of the most important people in my life.

There, we enjoyed lots of family time and home-cooked meals and explored the rolling hill country with its endless trees and diverse wildlife—deer, cardinals, bald eagles, and a few real Texas longhorns. Each day ended with gorgeous pink cotton candy sunset skies and endless gratitude. Deep in the heart of Texas lies my heart.

Throughout this journey, I aim to live presently in each moment, to experience life in its entirety, to look within to find purpose and beauty in myself, the world, and in others. With gratitude and an open heart, I hope to enrich my existence with meaningful encounters and unforgettable adventures. Let's do this!

Next Stop: Guatemala

SOUNDTRACK (audiobooks):

Ayurveda and the Mind by Dr. David Frawley
The Music Lesson by Victor L. Wooten

P.S. The guy with me is my wonderful boyfriend, travel partner, and personal photographer, Octavio. We'll refer to him as O throughout these writings!